Fairfield Police Department Thanks Community for Support in Charitable Endeavors

By GAIL BOTTONE

December 4, 2017 at 3:02 AM

By GAIL BOTTONE

December 4, 2017 at 3:02 AM

FAIRFIELD, NJ — On behalf of the Fairfield Police Department (FPD), Fairfield Township Mayor James Gasparini extended the department’s gratitude to everyone who helped to make the FPD’s many charitable events a “huge success.”

In November, the FPD served as a collection point for the St. Thomas Moore food pantry. Due to the generosity of the community, the shelves of the pantry are full, according to the deparmtnet. The drive was spearheaded by Sgt. John McNish and Sgt. Christopher Niemiec.

The police department also served as a collection point for Operation Christmas Child. Members of the public were asked to come to the police station and pick up a pre-wrapped shoebox and fill it with toys and toiletry items that would be sent to underprivileged children around the world.

“Happily, the response was great, and 104 shoe boxes were sent out,” said Gasparini. “This was the first time the department participated in this event, which was organized by Sharon McNamara, administrative assistant to the chief of police.”

In honor of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month throughout November, officers were permitted to go unshaven provided they each make a $25 donation that would be given to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. The department raised at total of $800.

The police department and the board of directors of the Fairfield Police Foundation thanked everyone all those who made contributions for their support.

“To date, the foundation has raised approximately $31,000,” said Gasparini.

Gasparini also announced during last week’s meeting that once again the Fairfield Police Department will serve as a collection site for the United States Marine Corps. Toys for Tots campaign. Additional collection sites include the North Caldwell Police Department, Il Panino Deli, Manhattan Bagel, 123 Kinderstar, Gramon/Glenview Schools and New Beginnings.

The public is encouraged to drop off new and unwrapped toys to any of these locations before Dec. 17. This event was organized by Officer Steven D’Argenio, a former United States Marine.

In other news, Fairfield resident Anita Stiebel of Carlos Drive and some neighbors attended the meeting to ask questions about the development of land near their neighborhood. Gasparini informed them that no plans have been submitted to the township, and if plans are ever submitted, residents within 200 feet will be notified.

He reassured residents that the buildings will have to follow all laws so drainage will be sufficient, and there will be no flooding problems. He said the mayor and council strive “to keep the integrity of all residential areas.”

He also said that the property is zoned to attract young couples and seniors who want to downsize and still remain in Fairfield. Therefore, he said there should be no impact on the school system.

Gasparini stated that there are seven acres of land zoned for 13 units per acre, but that not all seven acres are meant for housing. The acreage includes roads and the like, he said.

Additionally, Morgan brought the disrepair of the Van Ness House, a historic home, on Fairfield Road, to the council’s attention. The mayor asked that the Department of Public Works (DPW) look into the matter.

Finally, the council introduced an ordinance that would amend a chapter the code of the township to include Article 11, entitled “Body Art Establishments.” The public hearing will be held on Monday, Dec. 11. This meeting will start at 6:00 p.m. as opposed to the usual 7:00 p.m. start time.

WEST CALDWELL, NJ - After nearly three years of planning and mobilizing by district parents and leaders, the Caldwell-West Caldwell school district will initiate a full-day kindergarten schedule beginning in September 2019.

A ballot question presented during last week's election asked if the voters would support an additional $600,000 annual school budget for full-day kindergarten. The final ...

WEST CALDWELL, NJ - After nearly three years of planning and mobilizing by district parents and ...

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — James Caldwell High School (JCHS) students will present their fall production, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the JCHS Center for Performing Arts.

At the center of the musical comedy is a fictional spelling bee set at Putnam County Middle School, where six young students participate and three adults judge the competition. The ...

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — James Caldwell High School (JCHS) students will present their fall production, ...

WEST ORANGE , NJ — They raided the kitchen, turned the auditorium into a movie theater and played games in the gym—that’s how West Orange educators helped students stranded at the schools to weather the storm that paralyzed the region on Thursday night.

Photos from around the district showed smiling students with ice cream, grinning staffers who prepared food for the students and some kids ...

WEST ORANGE , NJ — They raided the kitchen, turned the auditorium into a movie theater and played ...

WEST CALDWELL, NJ - The Caldwell-West Caldwell Board of Education and Superintendent James Heinegg accepted Barbara Adams’ retirement as principal of Washington Elementary School during Monday's board of education meeting. Adams has been principal since 2001 and her retirement becomes effective on Jan. 31, 2019.

Ryan Stevens, a student at James Caldwell High School, was recognized for ...

WEST CALDWELL, NJ - The Caldwell-West Caldwell Board of Education and Superintendent James Heinegg ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — More than $160,000 was raised at RWJBarnabas Health’s (RWJBH) second annual Running with the Devils 5K Run and Walk in support of RWJBH and the New Jersey Devils’ collective effort to build stronger communities by promoting healthy, active lifestyles and world-class healthcare.

Proceeds from the race, held at Essex County’s South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange, ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — More than $160,000 was raised at RWJBarnabas Health’s (RWJBH) second annual ...

FAIRFIELD, NJ — A 64-year-old Caldwell man was recently arrested in Fairfield for driving under the influence (DUI) and being in possession of an air/spring handgun and handcuffs.

Just after midnight last Thursday, Fairfield Officer Steven Ptaszynski was monitoring traffic on Route 46 near the Crown Plaza hotel when he observed a pick-up truck with an unauthorized LED off-road light on that ...

FAIRFIELD, NJ — A 64-year-old Caldwell man was recently arrested in Fairfield for driving under the ...

MONTCLAIR, NJ - Law enforcement officials have confirmed the fatal stabbing of a female victim in Montclair on Monday. The exact location and details surrounding the homicide have not yet been released, as this story is developing.

However, eyewitnesses reported seeing police bring someone in a body bag out of a building located at 50 Greenwood Avenue sometime around 4 p.m.

Additional ...

MONTCLAIR, NJ - Law enforcement officials have confirmed the fatal stabbing of a female victim in ...

CALDWELL, NJ — Moving forward with the Caldwell mayor and council’s agenda to address parking issues, borough administrator Paul Carelli reported on Thursday that the parking ramp has been partially re-opened, but that estimates are still being received for consideration of further alterations and structural decisions.

Carelli noted that a parking consultant has been engaged to collect data ...